The string of Minecraft 1.20 snapshots concludes as the developers grace the community with the first-ever Minecraft 1.21 snapshot. This unexpected but much-welcomed snapshot release is a must-try, as it finally adds the three new music discs that were recently announced.The list of additions and changes is extensive, with some of the highlights including 20 new paintings, 9 new background music tracks, and a rehaul of certain areas of the trial chambers. In this article, we delve into the detailed release notes for the Minecraft 1.21 snapshot 24w18a update for Java Edition.Minecraft 1.21 snapshot 24w18a for Java Edition: All you need to knowNEW FEATURESHere are all the new features in the 24w18a snapshot that are planned to be released with the Minecraft 1.21 update:All Features from the experimental 1.21 pack have been moved to vanillaAdded 5 new paintings by artist Sarah BoevingAdded 15 new paintings by artist Kristoffer ZetterstrandAdded 9 new music tracksAdded 3 new music discsMUSICAdded 9 new background music tracks which will all play in the main menuSome of these new songs play in specific biomes in-game:featherfallPlays in Badlands, Cherry Grove, Flower Forest, and Lush CavesdeeperPlays in Deep Dark and Dripstone Caveseld_unknownPlays in Dripstone Caves, Grove, Jagged Peaks, and Stony PeaksendlessPlays in Dripstone Caves, Grove, Jagged Peaks, and Stony PeakspokopokoPlays in Dripstone Caves, Grove, Jagged Peaks, and Snow SlopesThe following have been added to the pool of songs which play in Overworld biomes that do not have biome-specific music:featherfallkomorebipuzzleboxwatcheryakusokuMUSIC DISCSAdded 3 new music discsAaron Cherof - Precipice can be found rarely in standard VaultsHas a comparator output of 13 when played in a JukeboxLena Raine - Creator can be found rarely in Ominous VaultsHas a comparator output of 12 when played in a JukeboxLena Raine - Creator (Music Box) can be found rarely in Decorated Pots broken in Trial ChambersHas a comparator output of 11 when played in a JukeboxPAINTINGSAdded five new paintings by artist Sarah Boeving:baroquehumblemeditativeprairie_rideunpackedAdded fifteen new paintings by artist Kristoffer Zetterstrand:backyardbouquetcavebirdchangingcotanfernendbossfindinglowmistorbowlemonspassagepondsunflowerstidesCHANGESThe new mace weapon is now a tad bit easier to enchant.Rotten flesh has been removed as a possible item for Trial Spawners to ejectMace enchantments are slightly more common in Ominous VaultsProjectile knockback is no longer dependent on the shooters positionProjectiles such as Arrows and Fireballs knock back in the direction they travelProjectiles such as Splash Potions and Fireworks knock back away from themselvesProjectiles shot by a Dispenser will also knock backUpdated the confirmation-screens in Realms to show as popupsTRIAL CHAMBERSThe trial chambers in Minecraft 1.21 have undergone multiple design overhauls once again:Spider spawners have been moved to the "melee" categorySlime spawners have been moved to the "small melee" categoryMade various layout changes in intersections and corridorsAdded new trap dispenser style to chambersFixed various broken jigsaw connections in the corridorsMade seams match in corridorsAdded new entrance variationsFixed various broken or incorrect jigsaw dataAdded empty Chests to chamber entrancesOMINOUS TRIAL SPAWNERWorth-noting changes have been made to the spawning mechanics of ominous trial spawners:Ominous Trial Spawners with mobs that are unable to wear equipment now spawn double the total mob count over the course of the challengeThese spawners will also have an additional mob out at once during its challengeBottle o' Enchanting is no longer a possible projectile for Ominous Trial SpawnersCOPPER DOORS AND TRAPDOORSCopper Doors and Trapdoors are now crafted from Copper Ingots instead of Copper BlocksOxidized variants of Copper Doors and Copper Trapdoors can no longer be craftedWaxed variants can still be crafted with HoneycombTECHNICAL CHANGESResource Pack version is now 33Data Pack version is now 42Removed the update_1_21 feature flag and built-in datapackThe patch notes do not end here, as there are many more technical datapack updates included in this Minecraft snapshot. Interested readers can visit the official Minecraft webpage to delve deeper into the datapack changes.